Donauwelle or the Danube wave is among the most famous desserts from the Germanic lands. It in-fact holds popularity both in Germany and Austria, this traditional sheet cake is made using sour cherries, butter cream, cocoa, and chocolate. Its appearance creates a swirling effect and the bright and dark layered combination makes it equally irresistible. In Germany it is also popularly known as Schneewittchenkuchen or the Snow White Cake. Furthermore, the topping of the cake comprises of buttercream and melted chocolates. Also, the trick thereon is to place sour cherries into the uncooked batter so that when the cake is ready, they stick and sink together. Therefore, the resultant cake becomes low rising and rich.
It has been said to have originate in the Danube or Donauschwaben region which basically comprises of most of the German speaking countries in the south-eastern parts of Europe. The river Danube starts from the Black Forest region and then flows thorough many countries, racing its way forward towards the East and then finally flowing into the Black Sea. Donauwelle is said to have sprouted here in these fertile grounds. It is now known that Donauwelle was a dish that the immigrants of the region brought with them in the 18th century. They had come here after the Ottoman Empire discharged them from their original habitat.
Some experts have drawn similarities between the pound cake and Donauwelle because of the cakes batter and the ingredients. The batter once mixed and ready, is divided into even halves. One of the halves is darkened using the cocoa powder. Thus, it is able to attain the two coloured texture. As far as finding sour cherries is concerned, they are easily available in packaged forms in a regular super-market. The important thing to remember is that they should be dried and then placed in the batter. The cake gets its unique flavours due to these ingredients and processes.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
- 5 eggs
- 3 cups cake flour
- 3 teaspoons cocoa
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 (36 ounce) can tart cherries, pitted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 3/4 cups milk
- 1 (4 ounce) packagecook and serve vanilla pudding mix
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 ounces semisweet baking chocolate, melted
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Grease a 12 x 8 pan.
- Beat the butter, eggs and sugar together until sugar is dissolved.Add the flour.
- Spread half of the batter into the pan.
- Add cocoa and milk to remaining batter, mix well and spread over the top.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes until done.
- Let cool for approximately one hour.
- For Filling: Drain the cherries, saving 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of the juice. Heat the juice, sugar and cornstarch slowly, stirring constantly. Add the cherries.
- When the mix has thickened, set aside to cool.
- Cook the pudding according to the package directions with the milk and sugar.
- Let cool to room temperature.
- Beat the butter until creamy and add the pudding spoon by spoon while beating Let rest a few minutes.
- Assembly: Spread the cherry mix on top of the cake and cover with the cream.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the top.
This is a traditional German cake recipe. You may find certain variations or simple additions to this version in the other surrounding regions. The popularity of Donauwelle has reached far and wide across the globe due to migration and globalisation generally. But there is nothing like it to have the original dessert from Germany in Germany. So, when visiting, make sure to try it on from any of the local bakeries.